Pierre Emerick Aubameyang fired Arsenal to a 4-2 win over Leeds United last Sunday, scoring a hattrick on his return to the starting line-up.
In an effort to deal with Leeds’ intensity, Arteta fielded a front four of Saka, Ødegaard and Smith Rowe behind Aubameyang as he looked to utilise their movement to evade the press and cause Leeds problems.
Arsenal played some fantastic football during the game with Saka, Ødegaard, Smith Rowe and Ceballos interchanging positions and keeping the ball moving with tempo whilst Aubameyang looked to drift out to the left and run in behind.
The first goal came 13 minutes in as Gabriel slid the ball into Smith Rowe who had drifted into the middle off the left flank. Smith Rowe laid it off for Xhaka who found Aubameyang on the left side of the box with a first time pass. Aubameyang drove at Ayling, cutting inside and striking the ball into the nearside bottom corner, catching Meslier off guard to give Arsenal the lead.
Aubameyang 1-0
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 41st minute following a foul on Saka in the box from Meslier. Saka pounced on a loose touch and hesitation from the Leeds keeper, getting his body across before being tripped. The young winger had a penalty claim denied minutes earlier following a push and a trip from Cooper but this time VAR gave the decision in Arsenal’s favour. Aubameyang stepped up with an emphatic penalty, striking it into the side netting as Meslier dived the wrong way.
Aubameyang 2-0
The third came on the stroke of half time with Aubemayang crossing the ball to Bellerín who knocked it down for Smith Rowe. The Englishman laid it off for Dani Ceballos who delicately nutmegged Struijk to find Bellerín. The Spaniard took on his man and drilled a shot in at the near post to cap off the Arsenal move.
Bellerín 3-0
Aubameyang grabbed his hattrick just after half time as Cédric forced Leeds winger Helder Costa into giving the ball away deep into the Leeds half. Smith Rowe picked it up, driving into the penalty area before teeing up Aubameyang for a header at the back post. Having watched the goal a number of times I still cannot decide if that was a shot or a cross – if it was a cross then it was a hell of a ball!
Aubameyang 4-0
At 4-0 up, the Gunners looked in control but in the 58th minute doubt started to creep in as Struijk thumped home a header from a Leeds corner. 10 minutes later Bellerín got caught out by a blindside run, allowing Roberts to get to the byline and find Helder Costa for a simple finish to make it 4-2.
Generally, Arsenal have become a more solid and compact team under Mikel Arteta but the frantic nature of Leeds’ play was enough to make every Arsenal fan nervous. Thankfully, the introduction of Elneny late on helped to steady to ship and Arsenal were able to close out the game.
It was fantastic to see Pierre Emerick Aubameyang back to his best, displaying his lethal finishing and penalty box movement. Saka and Smith Rowe have been excellent for the past 6-8 weeks and Nicolas Pépé has found some form out on the left wing but getting Aubemayang firing is a huge boost for the team.
Arsenal followed up the 4-2 win over Leeds with a 1-1 draw against Benfica, played in Rome, as the Europa League knockout stages got underway.
Arteta named an unchanged team for the first time in his managerial career and it was the first time an Arsenal team had remained the same since 2018. It was a signal of intent that Arteta was not taking the game lightly after last year’s Round of 32 exit to Olympiacos.
It was a tactical first half of limited chances, but it was Arsenal who were closer to making the breakthrough. The Gunners should have taken the lead inside 20 minutes following a sumptuous pass from Dani Ceballos to set Bellerín away down the right before crossing to Aubameyang for a chance it seemed he could not miss. The Arsenal captain took on the chance with his left foot, placing it just wide of the post.
Benfica started the second half in a livelier fashion as they looked to come forward more than they did int he first 45 minutes. In the 55th minute they worked a short corner well to set Rafa up to cross but his ball in was blocked by a jumping Smith Rowe. In the process, the ball struck Smith Rowe’s arm to give Benfica a penalty. Afonso Fernandes stepped up and cooly placed the ball to Leno’s left to give the Portuguese side the lead.
It was a frustrating moment as Arsenal were once again punished for a mistake, a recurring theme over the past couple of games.
Arsenal responded well however, going on the offensive right away. A loose ball fell the way of Aubamyeang who laid it off to Ødegaard. The Norwegian slipped the ball between the Benfica defenders to find Cédric who teed up Saka for an easy finish to tie the game and give Arsenal a crucial away goal.
Saka 1-1
Chances continued to come Arsenal’s way with Aubamyeang being given two very presentable opportunities, neither of which he could take, meaning that the tie will go into the second leg next week at 1-1.
Over the past two games, I think we have seen a closer depiction to how Arteta wants his team to play. We are all aware of the rebuilding project that needs to be done so naturally there is a lot of focus on transfers and the types of players the club needs to bring in to improve the team.
The most noticeable difference in these past two games has been the players behind the striker. Arteta has deployed Saka on the right, Ødegaard through the middle and Smith Rowe on the left, giving them the licence to interchange as all three are so tactically astute. All three have fantastic technical ability which allows them to float around and pick up the ball in tight areas but they also have a willingness to run in behind and this variety creates huge issues for defenders.
Previously we have seen the likes of Pépé and Aubamayenag on the left, and whilst both have had successful stints in that position, it is interesting that Arteta has chosen to deploy more versatile and technically sound players over the past two games.
Arteta’s only attacking signing last summer was Willian, a player he reportedly pushed hard to get. Whilst his time at Arsenal has not been a success so far, his profile matches that of a technically sound versatile player who can play in multiple positions behind the striker, indicating that Arteta could look to bring in players of a similar mould in the future.
It is another busy week for Arsenal, playing Manchester City at the Emirates in the Premier League on Sunday at 4:30pm and Benfica in Greece for the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday at 5:55pm.
Manchester City are a team who have repeatedly beaten Arsenal in the league over the past few seasons and are on a 17-game winning streak in all competitions. It will be interesting to see if Mikel Arteta views this as a chance to test where Arsenal are at the moment or if he chooses to rest players ahead of the Europa League fixture. Either way it is a game City will almost certainly win.
Perhaps the more important game of the week is against Benfica on Thursday night with the tie currently sitting at 1-1. Arsenal were the better team in the first leg and took away a crucial away goal so look in a strong position to progress. I am expecting to see a few players rested in the Manchester City game so that they are fresh and ready to win this game.
Predictions: Arsenal 0 – 3 Manchester City; Arsenal 2 – 0 Benfica
Adam Perry – 19/02/2021